We All Scream for Ice Cream

What is with the ice cream truck cruisin' around the neighborhood before dinner? It never fails... and then I ask Caeden at the dinner table, "why don't you ever eat anything?"

Duh.

And get this: the ice cream he had last time (thanks to his awesome Aunt Nikki) was Spider Man. With eyeballs. I kid you not. Totally gross, huh?! But, there's something so sweet about the music that little white trucks plays that takes me back to the days. Waaaay back. Caeden should have that, too. Even if it's before dinner.

Recap on First Day of School

Miss Loretta (one of Caeden's teachers)

(Caeden right at home with the Play Doh)

The conversation after school:

What did you do today, honey?

Oh, played in the sandbox with a tractor.

Did you make any friends?

Yes.

What are their names?

I dunno.

Did you have a snack?

Yes.

...What was it?

Cheez its.

What do you think of your teachers?

They are nice.

Did you like school?

Yes. (A very bored sounding "yes." -- As in, please quit asking me questions.)


We went home and he slept until it was time for dinner, and today he is asking when he gets to go back. Super cute.

Tag

Tagged by Sara!

Ok, here's what I'm supposed to do: list 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 surprising facts and then tag 5 other people. Leave a comment for the people you tag so they know they have been tagged.

joys
1. Watching Caeden with his grandparents. It's happiness in it's purest form.

2. Zoning out to great music on my iPod while working out.

3. Waking up (early) after being up most of the night and seeing coffee waiting for me. My husband is wonderful.

fears
1. Not having enough time to record all of the clever things Caeden (and eventually Claire) does and says. I don't want to forget a moment.
2. Not fitting back into my pre-pregnancy clothing.
3. Staying in Parker a moment longer than we have to (love our neighborhood, but dislike our town very much. Please turn around, housing market!).

obsessions
1. Anthropologie - everything from clothing to housewares.
2. Internet - reading blogs, shopping, reading the news ...
3. Eradicating clutter. I cannot stand clutter. Anywhere.

facts
1. I want to run a marathon next year. I will run a marathon next year.

2. I rearrange the furniture in my house at least once a month.

3. I have had photoshop loaded on my computer for a year and still have NO IDEA how to use it. This fact drives me crazy!

Tag Five People:
1. Nikki
2. John
3. Cathy
4. Delise/Jeff
5. Destine

He's Growing Up

First Day of Preschool

I thought I was ready. I thought of all the things he was going to learn and all the friends he was going to make. This is good. I am ready for him to have all the experiences school has to offer. Until.

Until he put on his new rocket backpack. Until I saw just how much he has grown over the summer. Until it hit me just how fast it goes. Until I realized that from now on, he will always be in school until he leaves our home (well, unless he lingers a bit too long in college and we're forced to cut him off) .

I honestly didn't think I was going to cry because I was SO EXCITED for him. Until the clock read it was time to take him to school. Until he grabbed his dad's hand as they walked out to the truck.

I cried all the way to school but pulled myself together just in time to walk in. Until.

Until I saw his name on his own locker. Until I saw his teacher guide him to his chair to play.

I cried some more. And then pulled myself together for real.

Wayne and I went to lunch (where I promptly ordered a Lemon Drop Martini - no judgments, please!) and reminisced about Caeden and how fast it has gone, and how proud we are of him ... of us ... to actually be parents of a child in school. It really makes me feel like I am in a new "Mom Circle/Group" now that I have to worry about snacks days and volunteering for the Christmas program.

Then we picked him up from school. It was an amazing feeling to watch the kids all run out of the room and into their parents' arms. To lock eyes with Caeden and feel his little arms wrap around me and give me a squeeze was the BEST feeling. He had a great time. Sang songs, colored a picture, listened to a story ...

I am just so thankful he enjoyed himself (after the gym playroom situation I was a bit nervous). I am truly thankful for this day. Progress is a wonderful thing.

Child Care ... Revisited

I took Caeden with me to the gym. It's the first time he's gone and he was SO EXCITED. When we got to the play area he took off for the tunnels and didn't look back. I tried to tell him I was leaving - that I would be back, but he could have cared less at that point. He was having so much fun climbing and sliding ...

Dejected, I introduced myself to one of the caregivers - telling her it was his first time in a setting like this, and if he needed me just page me. She told me that most Mommies feel this way, and that we are much more anxious than the kids are. "He'll be fine." And she sent me off with a wave.

Okay. Off I went to hop on the treadmill, where I completely got caught up in competing with the teeny boppers on the treadmills beside me. I can't remember a time when not one ounce of me jigglied when I ran ... but these girls where all business - and nothing moved on them except their legs. Well, it goes without saying, but there was a certain amount of jiggle going on over on my treadmill, but I did better than the day before and felt great!!

So, after my workout, I went downstairs to get my little man. I was heartbroken by what I saw when I got there. He was bunched up in a ball on the floor behind the main desk area - crying so hard that his shoulders were shaking and snot was coming out of his nose. I scooped him up and told him I would always come back for him, but he just kept crying.

It was one of the most awful moments I've had as a Mom. Seriously, I should have only left him for 15-20 minutes for his first time. What was I thinking?? (Don't answer that. We all know I got caught up in trying to keep up with those unhuman treadmill girls. I mean seriously, who in the world can run at a dead sprint for 45 minutes?! It was insane to watch.)

After I talked Caeden down by offering/bribing him with fruit snacks (that contain zero fruit, mind you), we got to the truck, and this is what he said:

"Mommy? I am so sad."

"Honey, I will never leave you for long. I will always come back. I promise."

"I'm still sad..."

"Baby, I am sorry. I was gone too long. I'm really, really sorry."

"Well, I need something."

Pause. He knows he has me where he wants me. Damn!

"What do you need?"

"A new toy."

Folks, it's manipulation at it's best.

Pizza

We brought dinner over to some neighbors who just had a baby [Hi Campbell!]. The mom eats only a few things ... one of them being pizza. So Wayne fired up the Green Egg (a grill/smoker) and proceeded to make homemade pizza. It had a bit of a wood-fired taste to the crust and was sooo good. Who needs Papa John when I have Papa Wayne?

I'll post the recipe soon.

Gimme a C

Claire Bear (the nicknames have started to kick in) is 9 weeks old. When Caeden was this old, I already had a computer hard drive packed with photos. I think I have a dozen of Claire. While Caeden beats her in photos, I think she's ahead in number of clothes. ;)

Here's what she's up to:

She still loves to be swaddled (well, she tries to get out but I won't allow it - I have her wrapped up like a mummy because she'll sleep longer...).

Doesn't like anything near her face.

Loves to be sang to (in contrast, Caeden loathes music - can you believe that?).

Can't get enough time in the bath.

Starting to tolerate her swing and carseat for a few minutes.

Weighs 9 pounds 9 oz. and is almost 22" long.

Has 1 roll of baby fat on her thigh - no more scrawny chicken legs.

Likes to cuddle, cheek to cheek, in bed -- this is my favorite thing to do with her.

Won't sleep in her crib unless I make sure she is in a deep sleep, having a heating pad on the mattress to warm it up, hunch waaay down into the crib so we have maximum contact before I unfold her from my arms, have the fan running for white noise ... and tip toe out. This nifty little dance wasn't working last night, though. I was up until 2 am repeating and repeating until I finally lost all patience and took her to bed with me. Of course, she slept until 6 am without a fuss...while I woke up every 30 seconds to make sure I hadn't smothered her.

Is totally, completely ... adored and loved.

Life Time

What does it take to get back into shape after having a [sweet, precious] baby? Apparently not the cute workout clothing I talked about earlier.

With Caeden it wasn't hard - I just jumped on the treadmill when he napped (...and there was also a Cindy Crawford workout DVD involved, which is embarrassing to admit, but MAN it kicked my butt!).

This time around I walk with the kids in the morning before it gets too hot. The walk isn't as much exercise as it is 1) Rock hunt for Caeden's dump trucks 2)Resting at benches so Caeden can drink cherry water 3) Detouring to the park for some quality swing and slide time.
I LOVE our walks - love them. But apparently it is going to take a bit more to get back into my skinny jeans.

Enter my savior: LifeTime Fitness is the most amazing gym I have ever been in (sorry Lindsay, I know Pure Vida is over the top but I am talking about gyms for non-millionaires). The best part? Two hours of childcare everyday is included in the price. Two hours of cardio ... two hours of pilates ... two hours of ... drinking a smoothie and getting a massage!

Please don't rain on my parade - I DO realize there is no way on earth I could work out for 2 hours straight...it's just the very idea that I COULD makes me positively giddy.

New Things I Like

Smooth Down -- super-duper shiny hair. Love this stuff. Run and get yourself some during Beauty Brands' Liter Sale. Ten bucks and you, too, can have a glorious mane of hair (well, maybe I took it a bit too far, but if not for anything, buy it for the yummy smell!)

Caress Berry Wash - smells sooo good.These cupcakes are so yummy. SO YUMMY. Especially when you are on a diet and can't/shouldn't have them.

Aunt Lindsay & Caeden

Linz has a way with Caeden. His face lights up as soon as she walks through the door and he can't wait to show her everything in his world ... his toys, his room, the shop vac in the basement (yes, the boy loves his vacuums).

I love seeing them together because their interaction is so pure and easy. It's obvious how much they adore each other, and makes me love her even more for it.

Thanks for being so awesome, Linz. You're one in a million.

HGTV

I have a slight addiction to HGTV. I love "Divine Design" and I think I've got Wayne hooked, too. We've lived in Parker for almost two years (hard to believe) and haven't done much to the inside of our house. It has beautiful wide-plank cherry floors, a gorgeous kitchen, and lots of white shutters on the windows ... but the only room that is truly decorated is Claire's room. The rest of the house is a sea of cream paint with no personality.

Well, that is coming to an end. Yesterday Wayne came home from Home Depot with decorative ceiling tiles (that aged copper-ish tin look) and asked me to pick my favorite finish. We're going to install it in the dining room and then finish it off with wainscoting. Funny how excited I am for the dining room to be "decorated" when we've NEVER used it. I think that's going to change very soon ...

Will post pictures as soon as we're (meaning Wayne) done.

I am sooo tech savvy.

Thank you, John.

Hello

Not much going on today. Thought I would share some fun sites. Enjoy!

http://simplemom.net/

http://chocolateandzucchini.com/

http://www.dessertfirst.typepad.com/

P.S. Anyone out there know how to create links where you just click on a word and it takes you to the site?

Last night Wayne asked me when I thought I'd be ready for a vacation.

Ummm .... right this second?! I'll be in the car.

Seriously, the last time we got away was a year ago last Feb. when we went to the Keys with our good friends from Kansas. It was such a blast - but had I known it would be the last time I would have a margarita (and seeing Kenny Chesney wasn't so bad, either), I would have stayed longer. :)

Vacation ... oh sweet vacation. Probably next year when Claire is 1.

Right now, my definition of vacation: a movie on DVD that I watch all the way through without falling asleep (and waking to drool down my face) while having just taken a bubble bath.

Maybe I'll get that vacation sometime next year, too.

Here's to 2009! ;)

Summer Swim

This picture cracks me up because of how the splashing started.

"Come here, Mom. I have something to show you."

The trap was set and I walked right into it. 'Splash Mom' was the game of the day. ;)

The funny part: Caeden didn't get it that I 'got it' after the first time. So, he kept at it all afternoon.

"Mom! I have a surprise for you!"

"Mom, I NEEEED you."

"...Mom?"

Gotta give it to him, the boy has tenacity.
This picture is all Caeden. He is such a boy. By the end of the day, he had every truck and car in the pool with him. Trucks and a snazzy pink and purple pool ... what more does a kid need?

YouTube Lion Video *Must See*

This is absolutely incredible. It's the documentation of a tame lion reintroduced into the wild in Africa ... and what happens when his human parents find him again (in Africa).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr1pWzoLvT8

(forgive me - I have no idea how to make a link other than you having to copy and paste)

Watch it now before you forget!

Food Jags

Do you ever get stuck on certain things? Lately I eat turkey sandwiches, Kashi Strawberry Fields cereal, frozen Kit Kats, pear tomatoes (that we've grown!), and anything take-out.

It's the perfect season to grill, but that requires Wayne (he uses the green egg and won't refill the propane for the gas grill...so I am out of luck these days).

Headed to the farmers market Sunday for peaches, corn, and tomatoes - can't wait for summer tomatoes... the big red kind that I can slice on my turkey sandwiches!

Real Life.

We've been hunkered down since Claire's arrival. You know how newborns have a way of setting the pace and the schedule for everyone else. "Caeden, we have to wait to play outside until after I feed Claire..." and on schedules: 8 pm bedtime is my version of Heaven.

Well, the other day, I decided enough was enough. I needed some stuff at Nordstroms (funny how you run out of everything at once) and thought we could all benefit from getting out a little bit. Caeden was totally agreeable and even Wayne was excited about doing a bit of shopping. Things were looking up ... until we got there.

I have a peanut shell (sling) that Claire loves to be in, so I tried putting her in it a little too quickly ... her head was stuck and her legs were dangling out. Okay, not right. Let's try this again. Out she comes, in she goes ... this time the wrong way and I am afraid she can't breathe! By this time, I am sweating bullets, she is crying and probably thinking, "what is this crazy woman trying to do to me?!"

I don't have my diaper bag (remember, I walked in feeling super confident that she wouldn't need a thing if she was all snuggled into the sling) so I have no blanket to lay down on the bench while I put her down trying to untangle myself from this $#@! sling. Everyone is staring at me and Claire and I am now totally flustered and not even sure if I am breathing. I kind of remember everything going dark - like tunnel vision.

Wayne and Caeden walk over from the line they were standing in to get a muffin (poor Caeden was so excited to have a muffin - all the boy wanted to do was have a snack) -- and Wayne asked me if everything (meaning ME) was okay?

No.

I just started walking out of the store. Poor Wayne grabbed my purse and Caeden and followed me out. He kept trying to make me feel better - to calm me down - but by the time we reached the SUV, I was crying.

I cried all the way home.

Why? I guess I just don't have a thick skin right now, and when things go wrong, I just fall apart. I thought my hormones were stable by now, and maybe they are, but I am not getting any sleep and I guess I am not doing too well.

The next day Claire never cried - she slept a ton - (compared to the previous day when she didn't feel good and cried all day and all night) - and we went out for dinner without any problems. We hung out outside and enjoyed the cool evening like a normal family and it felt great. I just need to remember not all days are hard.

Not all days are hard!

Sometimes blog entries aren't witty or fun. Sometimes they are gritter than that...please forgive my real life entry - I need to document it so I can look back and laugh when things are rolling smoother.

Until then, I am officially an online shopper. :)

Today

Is such a good day. Caeden is playing in the dirt ... Claire is starting to coo...
Wayne is home ...

It really doesn't take much to make me happy. ;)

Meet Claire Party

No party is complete without a cake...
Here's Dave and Donna (Wayne's parents)

Daddy and Claire

Grandma and Claire



It was so sweet to celebrate our baby with everyone in SD. She was 5 weeks old in these pictures.

Home Sweet Home

Made it home in one piece. The road trip was a piece of cake - not a speck of drama over movie watching, no lost flip flops ... nada. Just a lot of junk food (when was the last time you had Nibs??) and talking.

Our visit was awesome. Wayne had a surprise birthday party and Claire had a "Meet the Baby" party. So fun to see everyone! Donna (Wayne's mom) and Bev (his aunt) made a lot of yummy food and there was plenty of beer to go around. Perfect party!

Caeden was in Heaven. He has a belly laugh that only comes out when he is with his grandpa and grandma. It's this infectious laugh that stops you in your tracks - and I always think, "how come I can't make him laugh like that?!" -- Probably because I am too busy sending him to the corner for all the things that grandpa and grandma think are so cute and funny. Oh well, that's what they are for right?

One of the nights we went to some friends' house for a BBQ. It was an incredible feeling to be outside visiting with everyone that we seldom get a chance to see. Yet, conversation came so easily and the feeling of being surrounded by friends is a comfort we really miss.

On other news ... does anyone else out there love pear tomatoes the way I do? I have three plants thriving outside. I see green lil' pear tomatoes all over the place and can't wait to make a tomato and mozzarella salad. Ripen up already, please.

I have also hit the 6 week postpartum mark. I have made running a half marathon my goal for this fall. I was all set to start running again but Wayne is traveling a lot again. I wish so much he could be home at night. I miss how much smoother the evenings go when there is two of us to handle the craziness of children, dinner & clean up. I am so wiped at night I crawl into bed and am asleep in 10 seconds flat. How are all you moms working out??? I want him to stay home. I need him. My flabby stomach needs him home so I can go run. Come home, Wayne.

More tomorrow ...